Separator for cuttings

ABSTRACT

A separator for drill bit cuttings is disposed atop a well pipe and includes a container surrounding the pipe for collecting issuing drilling fluid and directing same to a shale shaker screen. A self-clearing apertured slide in the top of the container receives and directs by gravity, oversized cuttings to a separate catching tank beneath the container while permitting all drilling fluid to fall into the container.

[451 Apr. 29, 1975 2,725,356 11/1955 Lombardi 210/416 X SEPARATOR FOR CUTTINGS [76] Inventor:

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Roger Francis Wise, 76 Main St., Franklin, La. 70538 Nov. 19, 1973 n wa PV 56 66 99 H 69 57 73 3 O5 97 33 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [22] Filed:

285.954 2/1965 Netherlands........................ 175/209 804,057 4/1951 Germany 209/393 App1. No.: 417,047

[56] References Cited shale shaker screen. A self-clearing apertured slide in UNITED STATES PATENTS the top of the container receives and directs by gravity, oversized cuttings to a separate catching tank beneath the container while permitting a11 drilling fluid Wintersgill.....................

8 X XX OWOOO 5 35 2 42 /7-// 9 .09 0 0 al 22 1,376,557 5/1921 Lawson.........

1,405,873 2/1922 Sellm 1,512.323 10/1924 Wallace 11 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures SEPARATOR FOR CUTTINGS This invention relates generally to apparatus for use with drilling rigs. and more particularly. to a separator adapted to be installed upon the bell. nipple of well pipe and serving to remove cuttings from drilling fluid which otherwise would tend to clog up the shale shaker screen.

The present invention flnds particular merit when used with a drilling rig operating in geological formations known as gumbo. Such material is extremely difficult to drill inasmuch as it has a tendency to ball-up a drilling bit. and additionally it is difficult to remove the bottom hole cuttings of gumbo from the issuing drilling fluid. Consequently. duringthe normal course of drilling operations these gumbo cuttings will reach the shale shaker and invariably plug up the shaker screen to a point where it becomes practically ineffective, necessitating a temporary shut-down of the shaker in order to clean the screen. The foregoing problem is usually encountered only when operating through gumbo formations since the resultant gumbo cuttings are different from other bottom hole cuttings in that they are not dissolved or absorbed by the drilling fluid and thus are transmitted in this objectionable form all the way to the shaker screenv The present invention serves to remove these gumbo cuttings from the drilling fluid before the fluid reaches the shale shaker.

Accordingly one ofthe primary objects of the present invention is to provide separator means for attachment to the bell nipple of well pipe and adapted to remove gumbo cuttings from drilling fluid prior to its treatment by a shaker screen.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved separator for drill cuttings comprising a container mounted upon the top of the well pipe bell nipple and including an apertured slide over which cutting fluid containing gumbo cuttings passes as it emerges from the bell nipple.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a separator for drill cuttings including a plurality of radially extending rods mounted atop the bell nipple of a well pipe and over which cutting fluid passes to separate gumbo from the drilling fluid which latter passes between the rods. is collected. and thereafter directed to a shale shaker screen.

With these and other objects in view which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood. the invention consists in the novel construction. combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described. illustrated, and claimed.

A preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the separator of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the separator shown in FIG. 1.

Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawing.

Referring now to the drawing. the separator of the present invention is generally designated 1 and is provided with means for ready attachment atop the bell nipple 2 of the well pipe. Such attachment may most readily be provided by means of a sleeve mount as shown most clearly in FIG. 2 of the drawing. An outer sleeve or pipe 3 having an internal diameter substantially corresponding to the outside diameter of the bell nipple 2 contains an inner sleeve 4 of a lesser length than the outer sleeve 3 such that its bottom end 5 is disposed substantially above the bottom end 6 of the outer sleeve 3. These two sleeves are preferably securely affixed to one another such as by spot welding.

The described sleeve mount serves as rigid supporting means for the separator container. generally designated 7. which is preferably of cylindrical configuration and includes a circular side wall 8 which is fully enclosed at its bottom by means of the bottom wall 9 through which the sleeve mount projects downwardly. As will be observed in FIG. 2 the top of the sleeve mount extends above the top edge 10 of the side wall a significant distance for reasons which will become apparent hereinafter.

Spanning the top of the container 7 between the top of the mounting sleeves and the top edge 10 of the container is an apertured slide generally designated 11 and which may most readily be formed by means of a plurality of radially extending rods. pipes. or bars 12 having their end portions suitably affixed to the top of the sleeve mount and top edge 10 of the container. respectively. The inner ends 13 of the rods 12 are preferably mounted in lateral abutment between'each pair ofadjacent rods so that the maximum number of these rods may be attached as illustrated and it will thus follow that if all the rods project outwardlyin a radial manner a corresponding number of radial openings 14 will be provided between each pair of adjacent rods. which openings will have an ever increasing width from the inner ends 13 of the rods to the top edge 10 of the container 7.

During operation of the'present device. as the drilling rig (not shown) is actuated. it will be understood that drilling fluid containing gumbo cuttings will issue from the top of the bell nipple 2 and exit from the top edge 15 of the sleeve mounting prior to coming under the force of gravity at which point the gumbo-laden drilling fluid will flow outwardly and fall upon the apertured slide 11. t

With the described arrangement the drilling fluid itself will be seen to be free to fall between the spacedapart rods 12 into the confines of the container 7 which includes an outlet pipe '16 adjacent the bottom wall 9, which outlet pipe leads to a suitable shale shaker screen (not shown). The gumbo cuttings, on the other hand. cannot pass through the relatively smaller dimensions offered by the radial openings 14 and proceed. under the force of both gravity and the following flow of drilling fluid, down the inclination formed by the plurality of rods 12 and. upon reaching the top edge 10 of the container side wall 8. will be free of excess drilling fluid and will fall into a suitable catch tank 17 having a lateral dimension at least slightly greater than that of the container 7. Any tendency of the gumbo cuttings to become wedged between a pair of the rods 12 is precluded not only by the splashing action of the falling drilling fluid and the inclination of the apertured slide 11 but also by the ever increasing width of each opening 14 towards the direction of the container top edge 10. Experiments have shown that the relative height of the top of the sleeve mount and container side wall should be selected to provide an inclination to the rods 12 of the slide 11 on the order of 20 downwardly from the horizontal.

I claim:

I. A separator for drill bit cuttings for attachment atop a well pipe including. a container a peripheral side wall. an enclosing bottom wall and a top opening. mounting means connecting said container to the top of the well pipe. said mounting means including a vertically disposed sleeve extending through said bottom wall and engaging said well pipe. the top of said sleeve disposed above the plane of the top of the side wall. an apertured slide bridging the top opening of said container. said slide including a plurality of spaced elongated elements inclined downwardly from the top of said sleeve to said side wall. each adjacent pair of said elements defining an elongated opening therebetween. and said slide being disposed in a plane no higher than the point from which drilling fluid containing cuttings issues from said well pipe sleeve. whereby, said drilling fluid passes between said elongated elements and is collected in said container while said cuttings of a dimension greater than the width of said openings pass over said elongated elements and fall beyond said container side wall.

2. A separator for drill bit cuttings for attachment atop a well pipe including. a container, mounting means connecting said container to the top of the well pipe. said container including a peripheral side wall and an enclosing bottom wall and a top opening. said mounting means including a vertically disposed sleeve extending through said bottom wall and engaging said well pipe. an apertured slide bridging the top opening of said container. said slide including a plurality of elongated elements each adjacent pair of which defines an elongated opening therebetween. the inner distal portions of said slide elements attached to the upper end of said sleeve and the outer distal portions of said slide elements attached to the top of said side wall. said slide disposed in a plane no higher than the point from which drilling fluid containing cuttings issues from said well-pipe. whereby. said drilling fluid passes between said elongated elements and is collected in said container while said cuttings of a dimension greater than the width of said openings pass over said elongated elements and fall beyond said container side wall.

3. A separator for drill bit cuttings according to claim 2 wherein. said container side wall is circular and concentrically mounted relative said well pipe.

4. A separator for drill bit cuttings according to claim 2 wherein. said container includes an outlet adjacent said bottom wall for carrying away drilling fluid collected by said container.

5. A separator for drill bit cuttings according to claim 2 wherein. said slide elements extend radially across the top of said container whereby. said openings therebetween are of an ever-increasing width from the center of said container to said side wall.

6. A separator for drill bit cuttings according to claim 2 wherein. said slide elements are inclined downwardly from the center of said container to said side wall.

7. A separator for drill bit cuttings according to claim 6 wherein. the downward inclination of said slide elements is between 20 35 below the horizontal.

8. A separator for drill bit cuttings according to claim 2 including. a catch tank below said container for collecting said cuttings falling beyond said side wall.

9. A separator for drill bit cuttings according to claim 2 wherein. said sleeve extends downwardly to telescopically engage said well pipe.

10. A separator for drill bit cuttings according to claim 9 including. a second inner sleeve having its lower end in engagement with the top of said well pipe.

11. A separator for drill bit cuttings for attachment atop a well pipe including. a container. mounting means connecting said container to the top of the well pipe. said container including a peripheral side wall and an enclosing bottom wall and a top opening. said mounting means including a vertically disposed sleeve extending through said bottom wall and engaging said well pipe. said sleeve extending downwardly to telescopically engage said well pipe. at second inner sleeve having its lower end in engagement with the top of said well pipe. an apertured slide bridging the top opening of said container. said slide including a plurality of elongated elements each adjacent pair of which defines an elongated opening therebetween. and said slide is disposed in a plane no higher than the point from which drilling fluid containing cuttings issues from said well pipe sleeve. whereby. said drilling fluid passes between said elongated elements and is collected in said container while said cuttings of a dimension greater than the width of said openings pass over said elongated elements and fall beyond said container side wall. 

1. A separator for drill bit cuttings for attachment atop a well pipe including, a Container a peripheral side wall, an enclosing bottom wall and a top opening, mounting means connecting said container to the top of the well pipe, said mounting means including a vertically disposed sleeve extending through said bottom wall and engaging said well pipe, the top of said sleeve disposed above the plane of the top of the side wall, an apertured slide bridging the top opening of said container, said slide including a plurality of spaced elongated elements inclined downwardly from the top of said sleeve to said side wall, each adjacent pair of said elements defining an elongated opening therebetween, and said slide being disposed in a plane no higher than the point from which drilling fluid containing cuttings issues from said well pipe sleeve, whereby, said drilling fluid passes between said elongated elements and is collected in said container while said cuttings of a dimension greater than the width of said openings pass over said elongated elements and fall beyond said container side wall.
 2. A separator for drill bit cuttings for attachment atop a well pipe including, a container, mounting means connecting said container to the top of the well pipe, said container including a peripheral side wall and an enclosing bottom wall and a top opening, said mounting means including a vertically disposed sleeve extending through said bottom wall and engaging said well pipe, an apertured slide bridging the top opening of said container, said slide including a plurality of elongated elements each adjacent pair of which defines an elongated opening therebetween, the inner distal portions of said slide elements attached to the upper end of said sleeve and the outer distal portions of said slide elements attached to the top of said side wall, said slide disposed in a plane no higher than the point from which drilling fluid containing cuttings issues from said well pipe, whereby, said drilling fluid passes between said elongated elements and is collected in said container while said cuttings of a dimension greater than the width of said openings pass over said elongated elements and fall beyond said container side wall.
 3. A separator for drill bit cuttings according to claim 2 wherein, said container side wall is circular and concentrically mounted relative said well pipe.
 4. A separator for drill bit cuttings according to claim 2 wherein, said container includes an outlet adjacent said bottom wall for carrying away drilling fluid collected by said container.
 5. A separator for drill bit cuttings according to claim 2 wherein, said slide elements extend radially across the top of said container whereby, said openings therebetween are of an ever-increasing width from the center of said container to said side wall.
 6. A separator for drill bit cuttings according to claim 2 wherein, said slide elements are inclined downwardly from the center of said container to said side wall.
 7. A separator for drill bit cuttings according to claim 6 wherein, the downward inclination of said slide elements is between 20* - 35* below the horizontal.
 8. A separator for drill bit cuttings according to claim 2 including, a catch tank below said container for collecting said cuttings falling beyond said side wall.
 9. A separator for drill bit cuttings according to claim 2 wherein, said sleeve extends downwardly to telescopically engage said well pipe.
 10. A separator for drill bit cuttings according to claim 9 including, a second inner sleeve having its lower end in engagement with the top of said well pipe.
 11. A separator for drill bit cuttings for attachment atop a well pipe including, a container, mounting means connecting said container to the top of the well pipe, said container including a peripheral side wall and an enclosing bottom wall and a top opening, said mounting means including a vertically disposed sleeve extending through said bottom wall and engaging said well pipe, said sleeve extending downwardly to telescopically engage said well pipe, a second inner sleeve having its lower end in engagement with the top of said well pipe, an apertured slide bridging the top opening of said container, said slide including a plurality of elongated elements each adjacent pair of which defines an elongated opening therebetween, and said slide is disposed in a plane no higher than the point from which drilling fluid containing cuttings issues from said well pipe sleeve, whereby, said drilling fluid passes between said elongated elements and is collected in said container while said cuttings of a dimension greater than the width of said openings pass over said elongated elements and fall beyond said container side wall. 